Effect on Structure,Processability, and Conductivity of Poly(m-aminophenol) of the Initial Acidity/Basicity of the Polymerization Medium

Poly(m-aminophenol) was synthesized chemically from aqueous solutions of the monomer meta-aminophenol (mAP) in the initially acidic or basic medium by using ammonium persulfate as an oxidant. The polymer (PmAPA) synthesized in initially aqueous HCl medium was insoluble in organic solvents even after dedoping, while the polymer (PmAPB) synthesized in initially aqueous NaOH solution was found to be soluble in high pH water, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), and dimethylformamide. It was possible to obtain a stable, free-standing film from the DMSO solution of PmAPB but, due to insolubility and infusibility, film casting was not possible for PmAPA. The synthesized polymers were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analyses, X-ray diffraction spectroscopy, and four-probe DC electrical conductivity. A ladder-type structure was formed during the chemical polymerization of mAP in aqueous HCl, while a hydroxyl derivative of polyaniline was obtained in aqueous NaOH. The conductivity of sulfuric acid-doped PmAPB was 10⁴ times higher than that of in situ HCl-doped PmAPA. An explanation of the difference in properties of both polymers is given based on molecular modeling.